Peer Recovery Specialists are people in recovery from substance use and/or mental health disorders, family members and allies. VoH Peers support individuals in chaotic drug use, those preparing for change, those seeking treatment and those in recovery. Using motivational interviewing, Peers engage with people who use drugs to help support and sustain self-directed change. All Peers must have at least 2 years verifiable recovery if in recovery or if they are a family member. Incorporating trained Peers into an organization supports a trauma informed care approach to treatment and services.

Through the Maryland Department of Labor and the Supporting Recovery Through Employment fund, Voices of Hope, Inc. is offering the full curriculum, internships, exam preparation, and supervision to qualified individuals to become a Maryland Certified Peer Recovery Specialist (CPRS). This classification is viewed as the title for the peer recovery support worker primarily involved in providing recovery support services to individuals living with behavioral health disorders. This credential is governed by the Maryland Behavioral-health Professional Certification Board, as a consortium member of the International Certification & Reciprocity Consortium (IC&RC). This is a reciprocal credential offered at the international level. Peer Recovery Support Specialists are part of an evidence-based profession that improves outcomes of behavioral health treatment and interventions.

Through training, individuals are given the skills, knowledge, and abilities to transform that lived experience into the helping profession. Certified Peer Recovery Specialists are employed by medical organizations, the justice system, in public health and community-based organizations.

CPRS Training includes 500 hours of Peer internship, 25 hours of approved Registered Peer Supervision and includes individualized preparation and support for the CPRS Exam and fee. Internship hours can be completed at a part-time or full-time basis.

“As required with the Stevens Amendment, federal funding details for this grant are provided:

This program is funded by a grant from the Maryland Department of Labor. The MD Labor funds are 100 % ETA federal funds, and 0% state, local and/or non-governmental funds” 

Courses can also be contracted for your organization. Contact Voices of Hope to receive a quote (443) 993-7055.